Dynamite is proud to announce that the acclaimed Joseph
Michael Linsner will, for the first time ever, launch a crossover event sharing
the spotlight between his beloved creator-owned heroine Dawn and the comic book
horror icon Vampirella. Dedicated fans of
the two femme fatales can enjoy the six-issue Dawn/Vampirella series when it
debuts in early 2014, featuring a whimsical script and breathtaking covers by
Linsner himself.
In Dawn/Vampirella, a ten-headed demon named Ravana
tricks Dawn and Vampirella, snatching them away and holding them hostage. With the two most beautiful women in all
worlds at his mercy, Ravana wishes to select one as a mate to usher in a new
age. Rather than a challenge of physical
prowess, the ladies choose a more sophisticated and feminine contest, facing
each other instead in a competition of storytelling prowess. If Dawn wins, the new age will be one of light. If Vampirella wins, it will be an age of
darkness. Together, they take Ravana to
the bloody shores of Drakulon, to post-apocalyptic New York, and to worlds
beyond his wildest dreams. Ultimately,
the ladies know that they must join forces to overcome him... but what common
ground can be found between Goddess and Vampire?
"Vampirella is comic book royalty, right up there
with Wonder Woman, Sue Storm, and Red Sonja," says Linsner. "She is an icon; there is only one
Vampi. In many ways, she is the original
independent 'Bad Girl.' She started in
black and white, and so did Dawn. It is
an extreme honor to have Dawn share the stage with Vampirella in her very first
crossover."
Joseph Michael Linsner is most well-known for Dawn, his
personal Pin-Up Goddess. After her debut
appearance on the cover of Cry for Dawn #1 in 1989, Dawn struck a chord with
thousands of fans on an international level.
She is currently published in six languages and has come to life in the
form of statues, action figures, t-shirts, lithographs, lunch boxes, and trading
cards. An award-winning illustrator,
Linsner has painted covers for all of the major comics characters, including
Wolverine, Justice League, Conan, and Vampirella. One of his proudest moments was getting to
illustrate a short story written by Stan Lee for Actor Comics Presents.
Nick Barrucci, CEO and Publisher of Dynamite, says,
"I've known Joe Linsner since Dawn first appeared in comics. For two-and-a-half decades, he's been a truly
innovative, independent voice in this industry, crafting tales that plumb the
depths of human emotion and spirituality.
I respect his life's work so much, and have hoped to work with him on a
crossover since before the goddess celebrated her twentieth anniversary. At the time, Joe said he would think on it,
but it seemed the longest of long shots, as he's never allowed anyone else to
be involved with Dawn on any creative level.
Dawn is his legacy... and yet, five years later, he felt that he could
craft a story so great that his fans would warmly welcome the best -- and only
-- Dawn crossover in history. It's truly
an honor to be working with Joe on this creative level. It's one of the most exciting crossovers of
2014."
The Dawn/Vampirella miniseries will be solicited in
Diamond Comic Distributors' Previews catalog, the premiere source of
merchandise for the comic book specialty market, and slated for release in
early 2014. Comic book fans are
encouraged to reserve copies of individual Dawn / Vampirella issues with their
local comic book shop or hobby specialty store.
Each issue will also be available for individual customer purchase
through digital platforms courtesy of Comixology, iVerse, and Dark Horse
Digital.